DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLANT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE

While the engineering design team is considering the unit processes mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, architectural, and structural details of a new or upgraded plant it must also consider how to make the plant safe, efficient, economical, and easy to operate and maintain. These are considered to be operability- and maintainability-related issues. Although the guidelines here provide a comprehensive compilation of operability and maintainability issues, it is important that the design team consult with the plant operations and maintenance (O&M) staff during the design process to ensure their thoughts are considered.

Plant O&M staff involvement should increase as the plant start-up date nears. Figure 25.1 shows the recommended level of O&M staff involvement as a project moves through design and construction. O&M involvement during start-up is discussed in greater detail in Chapter 27.

Figure 25.1: O&M involvement.

Plant O&M staff participation could cause scope creep (work outside of the agreed upon scope of work) of the design if the design process is not managed properly. Clear and concise guidelines should be developed and agreed upon by all parties so that the O&M staff involvement is clearly defined. The guidelines should control the design process.

Designers should have a clear understanding of issues that O&M staff will most likely bring to the design process. If a designer knows and understands basic design issues, many O&M staff issues can be addressed in the design...